Pitching - Throwing - Summary
Page 1 of 5
Coaching focus for Pitching / Throwing … Teaching points
* 1-2-3 … Touch your knee
In your mind's eye … make a straight line to your target … then … it's 1-2-3.
1) Get sideways (your glove side shoulder should be pointing at your target) / plant your back foot
2) Step straight toward your target / pointing your tow right at it
3) Make a strong throw
Touch your Knee? On your follow through … if your throwing hand is not in a position where you could touch
your knee … then your "throwing path" was probably not straight.
* Extension … thumb down / thumb up / thumb down
Many players do not fully extend their arm prior to throwing … commonly called 'short arming' it.
* Make it uncomfortable
Players left alone for a catch will typically not challenge themselves. They'll stay at a distance that they know and
are comfortable with.
Pay attention to their mechanics at the close distances … if the mechanics are alright, then it's just a matter of
building arm strength to make the longer throws - which will come with age & playing long toss.
* Throw it Hard!
Many players lack confidence in their accuracy, so they don't throw it hard.
Once their mechanics are hammered out (and they're properly warmed up) … encourage them to let it rip!
* Leg it out
Contrary to popular belief, throwing isn't all about the player's arm.
Regardless if the player is pitching from the mound/rubber or not, make sure they are pushing off with their plant
leg. If you note a player has a minimal follow through, they probably aren't pushing off.
Leg item #2: Make sure the players are striding far enough with their front leg. A short / stubby stride doesn't
provide the same body torque and robs velocity from the pitch (and leads to "aiming" of the ball - since the lower
body isn't being used / puts more pressure on the arm to do it all).
* Fire the Hips
It's important that the hip twist and the arm's throwing motion do NOT happen at the same time - though many do
it that way.
Similar to hitting, the hips ought to fire a split second prior to the arm's throwing motion.
Have your players walk through their throwing motion in super slow motion and stop them when they get to the
point of turning their hips.
Have them leave their hips turned, but grab their arm and bring it back to where their throwing motion begins.
Let them marinate on how that feels … there will be all kinds of tension in their body, like a spring waiting to
unload.
The explosion of the spring unwinding - combined with the drive from "Leg it Out" (above) will give them
newfound velocity to their throws.
Waxhaw Athletic Association - Baseball 2013
President: Matt Wagenmaker
Commissioner: Mike Salicco
Pitching - Throwing - Summary
Page 2 of 5
* Smile for the Camera
If possible (through your own or a team members), bring a video camera to practice.
Film each player's throwing motion and watch it with them. Point out to them where they may not be in line with
proper throwing fundamentals.
Tell them what you call it, so they'll know what you're referring to later on (you're not following through /
you're shoulder is flying open too soon … for example)
* Pitchers need to lead with their head
Every at bat is a battle of wits, wills and nerves with the batter.
The most important pitch is strike one …
The goal of every pitching outing should be to not walk anybody. If they beat you with hits, take your hat off to
them, but do not just give it to them with walks.
Note: The following pitching tip was mentioned during the WAA / UNCC coaches clinic - held at UNCC campus
on Feb 12th, 2011.
Aim small … Miss small
Pitchers shouldn't aim for the catcher's glove … they should aim at a specific thread in the glove.
* Team Goal
Challenge: If there are any games where no walks are allowed by the pitchers, the team gets to go to McDonalds.
(Coach's discretion for what you want to use as the reward).
Wrist shot
Players should pair up with a partner
For this drill - should be fairly close together (7-8 feet)
Players will need to be down on one knee (right knee on ground for right handers … left knee for lefties)
Place glove against right elbow / forearm … so that the arm can not move forward (left elbow for lefties)
This will allow the only moving part to be the player's wrist
Depending on flexibility … wrist should be able to move at least from the "2 o'clock" to "10 o'clock" position
Play catch with partner
This drill eliminates legs from the equation and focuses on the importance of wrist action in every throw. A good
drill for beginning players.
Also - consider alternating a weighted baseball with a regular ball in this drill. Will build arm strength as
well as emphasizing the snapping of the wrist with every throw.
Wrist shot - Step 2
Players should pair up with a partner
Players can spread out a little further for Step 2
Players will need to be down on one knee (right knee on ground for right handers … left knee for lefties)
Place glove below right elbow / forearm (left elbow for lefties)
Now the arm can move freely
Play catch with partner
Step 2 of this drill allows for arm motion (back and forth) … wrist action needs to still be emphasized (2 o'clock to 10
o'clock) - even though the arm is allowed to move now.
Waxhaw Athletic Association - Baseball 2013
President: Matt Wagenmaker
Commissioner: Mike Salicco
Pitching - Throwing - Summary
Page 3 of 5
Wrist shot - Step 3
Players should pair up with a partner
Players can spread out a little further for Step 3
Players will need to be down on one knee (right knee on ground for right handers … left knee for lefties)
Players should work on full extension (thumbs down / up / down)
Point front shoulder at your partner
Extend arm back, rotate shoulders (twist upper body) to throw / play catch with partner
A trick can be to point the glove arm elbow at your partner - use it as a trigger … drop the elbow to start the
throwing process (front elbow drops / throwing arm comes through)
Once players go back to playing catch standing up … the elbow trigger should "fire" right after the front
foot lands.
Step 3 still leaves footwork out of the equation, but has all the elements for the upper body.
Make sure players are fully extending their arm, still flipping their wrist and are following through - making a
straight path motion with their throws.
If they can master these mechanics on the ground, it will give them a leg up once they stand up
Playin' Hoop
Equipment needed: Hula hoop and some Sport clips
Clip the hula hoop to a fence (the higher the fence, the better … for errant throws)
Line the players up at a distance appropriate to their age / skill
Players need to throw the ball into the hoop
This can be made into a competition (would need 2 hoops set up).
A real good drill for young players - since it can be difficult for them to have a catch with someone as their accuracy
isn't developed - nor has their partner's catching ability
Once they make 5 in a row … move them back further … further … further yet
Focus on getting them to let it fly - throw it hard. No lollipop throws … all hard line drive throws.
Rapid Fire
Equipment needed: nothing "special"
Line players up near a fence or netting facing a coach (fence to the immediate left of the players … for righties /
opposite for lefties)
The players need to be in a ready defensive position … slight crouch with hands ready.
Coach will throw them baseballs as fast as the player can keep up.
The player will catch and throw the balls into the fence / screen as fast as they can.
The drill is not about throwing accuracy, but about quickness of the catch/throw transfer.
Rapid Fire - Racing edition
Equipment needed: Stop watch, paper & pencil
Same as rapid fire - every player gets 10 balls.
Write down the player's time to get through the 10 balls.
Each player's time becomes a goal for them to beat the next time the drill is done.
Waxhaw Athletic Association - Baseball 2013
President: Matt Wagenmaker
Commissioner: Mike Salicco
Pitching - Throwing - Summary
Page 4 of 5
Warming Up
Players pair up with a partner and play catch
After 10-12 throws from a reasonable distance … start backing up with each throw (or every other)
Start mixing in pop ups and ground balls (not necessarily right at your partner) - work side to side
When you reach each other's maximum throwing distance start shortening the distance with quick toss (catch /
throw as fast as you can … "hot potato")
Continue quick toss until you and your partner are within 10-12 feet … then switch to underhand flips (see 'Flip
it Good' Fielding drill) forward flip, then backhand flip.
Coaching points:
Make sure throws are line drives (no lollipop throws)
Players need to get in a habit of always "letting it fly" (once their arms are warmed up) … if it's on a line, it
can always be cut off if needed.
When players toss grounders, make sure they are fielding with proper fundamentals
Triangle, using Good Mo, etc… (see 'Fielding' drills)
If anyone is having trouble with throwing fundamentals … work with them on the side. The longer bad habits
are allowed to be used, the harder it will be to correct.
When players throw pop ups, make sure they're:
Catching with 2 hands
Using soft hands (cushioning the catch toward their throwing side, getting their plant foot set & using the
ball's momentum to lead right into their throwing motion).
Even if a player is not a pitcher … stress that every throw needs to hit their partner's glove (always practice
throwing strikes)
Watch the players when they get to their limit of long toss … make sure they're using proper fundamentals (long
toss with bad fundamentals is a recipe for arm trouble).
Pitch Off
Everyone gets 5 pitches … the top 5 players with the most strikes advance
In the next round, the eliminated players take turns standing in the batters box (some right side / some left … they
don't swing). The top 2 players with the most strikes advance to the final round.
In the final round, there are players in the batter's box on both sides of the plate. The player with the most strikes
wins the pitch off.
Pitch Count
Have players throw 20 pitches and count how many are strikes.
Make sure to have someone track it (write it down)
However many strikes they throw … becomes their goal to beat the next time.
Outside the Box
Equipment needed: Football
This drill is for those that can't shake side arming it.
Play catch with the repeat offenders with a football.
It is much more difficult to throw a football side armed than a baseball.
Waxhaw Athletic Association - Baseball 2013
President: Matt Wagenmaker
Commissioner: Mike Salicco
Pitching - Throwing - Summary
Page 5 of 5
Whip it
Equipment needed: Small towel or bandana
Have players stick both their middle & ring finger of their throwing hand up.
Place the bandana / small towel under those fingers and then pinch the fingers down to hold it
Stand facing a bucket or anything about waist high (fence post for example)
Walk through your throwing motion with the towel and snap the towel onto the bucket / object
This drill focuses on the importance of following through with your throws.
How To Grip And Throw A Four Seam Fastball
http://www.thecompletepitcher.com/pitching_grips.htm#q1
How To Grip And Throw A Two Seam Fastball
http://www.thecompletepitcher.com/pitching_grips.htm#q1
How To Grip And Throw A Three Finger Changeup
http://www.thecompletepitcher.com/pitching_grips.htm#q1
How To Grip And Throw A Circle Changeup
http://www.thecompletepitcher.com/pitching_grips.htm#q1
Note: Breaking pitches are not including from the website mentioned above as they are not good for young players arms.
Coaches be sure to discuss this with your players and their parents.
Waxhaw Athletic Association - Baseball 2013
President: Matt Wagenmaker
Commissioner: Mike Salicco